Winter: What are you putting to rest?
Winter is a natural pause. The earth slows down, and so do we—if we were able that is. It’s a season that asks, “What needs to rest?” For me, the answer historically has not come easily.
For years, I was obsessed with growth. Professional growth, personal growth—always stronger, faster, more money, moving up. I poured everything I had into this, convinced it was the path to fulfillment.
But then two things happened. First, some personal stuff hit hard, shaking the foundation of how I was living. And, I took a deep dive into learning about exploitation and capital accumulation—how so much of what we define as "success" is built on systems that harm people and the planet. It made me stop and ask: What is all this growth for? Why am I pursuing it at all costs?
That kind of growth wasn’t making me happy. I was often frustrated, annoyed at the smallest things. I struggled to approach situations with generosity or patience. I drank too much. I was sprinting toward a finish line that kept moving, and I kept thinking if I got there, happiness would come.
We live in horrific times—times that ground us down emotionally, mentally, and physically. If there’s ever been a moment to stop and ask yourself, What do I actually want to be doing with my life? it’s now.
Is endless growth where you want to put your energy? Or could you occupy a different kind of space?
For me, this is a season of reckoning. I have realized that the things I truly valued had nothing to do with unchecked ambition. It wasn’t about a yacht, a fancy house, or an impressive resume. What I craved—the things that brought me joy—were far simpler and far more profound:
Community and the love that grows from it.
Falling in love with the everyday people and moments around me.
Learning new things for the sheer delight of it.
Making things with my hands—creating instead of consuming.
Solving problems and building connections that felt meaningful.
It wasn’t about doing less, but about doing differently—living in a way that aligned with my values instead of chasing goals that left me hollow.
What Do You Want to Build?
Winter invites us to reflect, to let go of the relentless pace of life and get real about what we’re holding onto—and why. It’s not about rejecting growth entirely; it’s about asking what it serves to grow.
What are you ready to let go of? What could you create, nurture, or discover if you stopped running and let yourself just be?
Winter isn’t forever, but its rest could be transforming. Let’s honor the pause and make room for something better.
